The Plattsburgh State men’s hockey team started the game against Fredonia with intensity and speed to dominate the early going. The rest of the game was a back and forth affair with the Cardinals taking the 4-1 win.
The Cards started off the scoring with a goal a by junior forward Kevin Emmerling with 16:23 remaining in the first period.
The men were able to add on a second goal during the half from sophomore Josh Koemer with 8:57 remaining in the period.
PSUC controlled the first period, looking more prepared then Fredonia and keeping up their pace and keeping the puck in Fredonia’s zone for much of the period.
Going into the second period, the team looked to keep up the pressure on Fredonia. They started the second shorthanded after a penalty at the end of the first period by freshman defender Ayrton Valente.
The team was able to keep Fredonia at bay and kill their chance. The Blue Devils came into the second period looking better prepared and kept PSUC on their heels for much of the period.
The Cards were able to end the period with a 3-0 lead, but the team played a sloppy period and looked like a different team than in the first.
In the third period, the Cards came out more aggressive, bringing back the attacking style they used in the first. Early on in the period Fredonia was able to score on a shorthanded goal by Stephen Castriota. The Cards power play looked sloppy all game and they continued the trend of not being able to score on the power play going 0-4 on their chances.
With little time remaining in the game, PSUC senior forward Connor Toomey was able to get a goal past the defense and threw the net, just barely getting it over the line with 38.8 seconds remaining in the game.
The Cards won the game 4-1, taking the shots on goal advantage 40-31. PSUC swept opening weekend keeping the team undefeated on the year with a record of 5-0.
The Cards will be home again next weekend to play two games against Morrisville College who has gone 2-2-2 this year, but is currently on a two game winning streak after beating Cortland in two games.
